Serological Investigation of Some Vector-Borne
Parasitic and Rickettsial Agents in Dogs in the Western Part of
Turkey
Onur Ceylan1*,
Ali Uslu2, Onder Ozturk3 and Ferda Sevinc1*
1Selcuk
University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary
Parasitology, Konya, Turkey
2Selcuk
University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary
Microbiology, Konya, Turkey
3Selcuk
University, Health Sciences Institute, Department of Parasitology,
Konya, Turkey
*Corresponding author:
Onur Ceylan (onurceylan@selcuk.edu.tr), Ferda Sevinc
(fsevinc@selcuk.edu.tr)
Abstract
Many infectious pathogens are transmitted to dogs
by vector arthropods. Some of the most well-known agents causing canine
vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are
Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichiacanis,
Leishmaniainfantum and Dirofilaria
immitis. These rickettsial and parasitic agents pose a public health risk
due to their zoonotic significance. This study was planned to determine the
prevalence of Anaplasma spp.,
E. canis, L. infantum and
D. immitis in dogs in the western part
of Turkey. For this purpose, blood samples were collected from 248 dogs brought
to private veterinary clinics with non-specific clinical symptoms such as
anaemia, anorexia, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite. By using an
immunochromatographic immunoassay, the presences of
D. immitis antigens, and the anti-E. canis, anti-L. infantum
and anti- A. platys/A.
phagocytophilum antibodies were investigated, and the total prevalence of
these vector-borne pathogens was determined as 37.1% (n:92). The prevalences of
D. immitis, E. canis,
L. infantum and
Anaplasma spp. were
determined as 1.2, 19.8, 14.9 and 8.5%, respectively. Dual co-infection rate by
E. canis+L. infantum and E.
canis+Anaplasma spp. were detected as 6.5%. A triple co-infection case
caused by D. immitis,
E. canis, and
Anaplasma spp. was also detected in a dog from Aydın province. This
study demonstrates the common presence of parasitic and rickettsial pathogens
causing CVBDs in dogs in the western part of Turkey. Therefore, preventive
measures against infection-transmitting arthropod vectors are recommended for
animal welfare and the public health perspective.
To Cite This Article:Ceylan O, Uslu A,
Oztürk O and Sevinc F, 2021.
Serological investigation of some vector-borne parasitic and rickettsial agents
in dogs in the western part of Turkey. Pak Vet J, 41(3): 386-392. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2021.052